Harry Potter fanfic

That Night

Harry had never felt so many emotions at once before. It was an immense joy that was almost completely diminished by a feeling of loss and dread of the coming days, yet ever so glad the past was done... if that made any sense at all. He looked around the room, spotting the group of redheads almost immediately, yet dreading the moment he finally managed to reach them.

It's hard not to feel guilty; they'd fought alongside him, fighting to keep him alive. His heart wretched at the thought of Fred lying on the floor in front of his family. His heart ached as he thought of Tonks and Lupin, and even more to think of their baby, Teddy, who would be raised just as Harry had been, without parents...

He heard someone clear their throat behind him, and turns to find Luna there.

"Why don't you approach them?" She asks, standing next to him to face the Weasley's.

"Do you suppose they might be angry with me?" Harry replies, his chest starting to rise at a faster speed.

"Why would they be angry with you Harry? You don't blame yourself... do you?" Luna questions, turning towards Harry and reaching to  comfort him.

"Don't you?"

She let go, "No, and I don't assume anyone does. He had to be killed at one point or another you know, this would have happened regardless. The prophesy only sped up the process by giving him a weakness, you,"

"We should rather thank you, in my opinion. I assume the weasleys feel similarly."

He thanked her for her support and they hugged. He made his way towards his best friend's family, he spotted Neville, holding his crying grandmother, no doubt crying of joy that her grandson had survived.

It was crazy to think the prophecy that began everything might have been about Neville all along, yet Voldemort chose Harry... How if things had gone a tad bit differently, his parents might be alive, and wondered how truly different it would be it that had been the case. Maybe their personalities would remain the same, but maybe he'd be Neville and Neville would be him...

Harry shook his head, trying not to dwell on the thought of how different life would be with his parents. It was a thought he tried to avoid constantly, but one that was extremely prominent.

He finally reached the Weasleys. And was immediately greeted by an embrace, which he gladly returned.

He stroked Mrs. Weasley's hair as she sobbed on his chest. He saw Ron and Mr. Weasley holding on to a sobbing George, and then Percy, Bill, and Charlie who all sat on the floor, bloodshot eyes and most of them with injuries. A pang of guilt hit him once more, but he tried to push it down for his own sake, telling himself it had to happen this way, though he'd gladly take Fred's place anytime.

Harry can't help but hate seeing the family that raised him in so much pain now, and the thought of the coming funeral made him all the more sad. He tried not to look at Ginny, who was entangled in Hermione's embrace. He was more than glad he couldn't see her face, as he was sure seeing her pain would break him completely.

Suddenly, Professor McGonogall cleared her throat, her wand against it, and a stern look upon her face.

"All students must return to their house common rooms," she said, "a headcount of those of you who are left will be conducted, and appropriate measures will be taken... for those who... those who didn't make it."

Her voice trembled, but not without reason. The amount of bodies encountered by the Hogwarts students on their way to their houses was almost overwhelming. Harry watched Ginny walk away, still too scared to approach her. He was suddenly engulfed by a moss of brown hair, Hermione, no doubt.

"I'm so glad you're alive," she pants.

"So many people aren't," Harry responds nervously.

Hermione pulls away, "They died in honor... Harry... he was a Gryffindor, he died in the best way a Gryffindor could."

She was right, Harry thought. "He fought bravely," Harry said in agreement.

"Ginny was waiting for you to find her," she whispers, a small smile starting to appear.

Harry felt his cheeks redden slightly as he saw Ron making his way towards them, and nudged Hermione, letting her know the conversation was over.

Ron's eyes were swollen and red, there were cuts and gashes all on his body and face, but Harry assumed he didn't look any better.

"You look great, mate," Harry says, wrapping an arm around Ron's shoulders.

"Could say the same about you," Ron jokes in response, reaching for Hermione's hand, but not pulling away from Harry.

Harry saw the interaction, and in fact, had some questions, but decided it wasn't an appropriate time to ask them, and excused himself to talk to Professor McGonogall.

"Potter," she called upon seeing him. "Good to see you... alive... and well..."

He was sure he saw pride and relief in her eyes, but Harry felt the same way. "I could say the same about you professor..."

He reached to hug her, and much to his delight, she returned it without a thought.

"I'm sorry about Fred. My heart aches at the thought of all the fallen Gryffindor," she says, stroking her former student's cheek. "I will remember to give Molly and Arthur my condolences before I head to the Gryffindor tower, but I have matters to discuss with you, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger."

Harry nodded, knowing where  the conversation was going. It was something he'd thought about the entire year they'd been hunting for hocruxes, but even now, he couldn't make up his mind. He knew his options at a Wizarding job were low with only his OWLs, but he felt as though going back to school after all he'd been through seemed a little foolish.

"Potter," another voice called behind him before either him or his professor were able to speak again

"I'd like to talk to you and your friends," a breathless Shacklebolt said. Harry glances towards McGonogall, who gave shacklebolt a look of concern.

"That makes two of us, Minister," she said, turning to Harry once more. "I think all of us should talk in my office, Potter, the password is Scottish Fudge."

Harry assumed she was talking about the headmaster's office, which he guessed now belonged to her, making it a Headmisstress' office rather. He shook hands with Shacklebolt and head to fetch Hermione and Ron, who were all but pleased to leave the horrific scene that was the Great Hall.

"I'll meet you at home when you're all are ready," Mrs. Weasley said weakly, letting go of Ron, who she'd been holding on to in Harry's departure. All three nodded, and lead Shacklebolt to McGonogall's office.

-

I do try to use less dialogue in the following chapters... I hope you guys like this one though...

... took a lot to publish this as I like the way I wrote this and am not sure that u guys will since idk that I truly grasp the characters very well- especially Harry. I lob him so much I'd hate to ruin him :/ but lmk what u guys think and feel free to correct me on things as u read along! Make it nice though because I'll cry ...